Avic Transport Aircraft Co. is aiming to begin deliveries of its MA700 turboprop airliner, now under development, in 2014. The Chinese company appears to be ahead of Franco-Italian rival ATR, whose proposed 90-seat turboprop is not expected to enter service before 2015, although one engine maker has said it could offer the necessary powerplant in 2013 or 2014. Avic Transport Aircraft is negotiating exclusively with Pratt & Whitney Canada for engines for the aircraft.
JERRY FISH was named manager of Gulfstream Aerospace’s NetJets program. Fish will manage maintenance services for Gulfstream aircraft operated by NetJets, including the G200, G450/G400 and GV/G550. Formerly the NetJets Gulfstream G200 maintenance coordinator, he has been with Gulfstream for 18 years, having previously served as an aircraft mechanic, lead inspector and Savannah Service Center operations manager.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0850; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-342-AD; Amendment 39-15710; AD 2008-22-14] – Check the integrity of the lower bolts of the stabilizer control unit dog-links, per the instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100-27-091 (dated Aug. 31, 2007). If a failed bolt is found, replace it with a serviceable bolt. Also, install a tie-wrap through the lower bolts of the stabilizer control unit.
AOPA Air Safety Foundation developed a new free online course to help better prepare pilots for handling icing and precipitation. The course, “Weather Wise: Precipitation and Icing,” is designed to reinforce pilot training. “An alarming number of pilots become accident statistics because too many of them underestimate the dangers of precipitation and icing,” said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
DUNCAN AVIATION is working toward certification of six different aircraft for WAAS with LPV approach capability. The LPV approval will provide approach capability to near-CAT I ILS minimums, down to 200 feet with one-half mile visibility. The certification projects include two Learjet 45s with dual Universal UNS-1Ew WAAS; two Gulfstream G100s with dual Universal UNS-1Ew WAAS FMS; a Cessna C560 Ultra with single Universal UNS-1Espw with LP/LPV Monitor WAAS; and a Falcon 900 with dual Honeywell NZ-2000 FMS.
EMBRAER received a contract from Brazilian carrier Passaredo Linhas Aéreas to lease two used 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 jets. Passaredo currently operates six EMB 120 Brasilias. Delivery of the ERJ 145s is expected in the first half of 2009.
Click here to view the pdf Used Business Jets, Turboprop Sales Inside And Outside North America For September Used Business Jets Sales – North America ------------------------------------------------------------ Sept.
Eclipse Aviation last week laid the groundwork to sell its assets to its single largest shareholder, European Technology and Investment Research Center (ETIRC), under U.S. bankruptcy protections. Eclipse announced Tuesday that it had filed for Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and sought court approval for debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing and procedures for the sale of its assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
VIKING AIR LIMITED DHC-6 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0891 Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-046-AD; Amendment 39-15741; AD 2008-24-01] – In order to prevent takeoffs with the gust locks installed, operators must incorporate de Havilland Modification 6/1676, which ensures downward deflection of the elevators when the control locks are engaged, and de Havilland Modification 6/1726, which adds to the control lock a warning flag that masks essential flight instruments on the pilot’s instrument panel.
GE AVIATION said its CF34 engines on regional jets have logged more than 50 million hours since they went into service 16 years ago in 1992. More than 4,200 CF34s power 50- to 120-seat RJs built by Bombardier of Canada and Embraer of Brazil. The CF34 also will power the new ARJ21 regional jets from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC). That aircraft is expected to begin flight testing later this year. By 2018, GE said 8,600 CF34s will be powering regional jets.
Fresh off 60 hours of flight tests with the prototype DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400, officials of manufacturer Viking Air remain confident the first production aircraft will be delivered to a customer this coming summer.
TERESA PARHAM was promoted to manager, sales administration for Gulfstream Aerospace. Parham will oversee sales administration supporting new aircraft sales worldwide for customers other than government or large fleet operators. A 16-year company veteran, she most recently was lead sales administrator for key accounts – East. She also has held posts as administrative assistant, senior field service administrator, meeting planner, customer administration coordinator and executive assistant.
ROCKWELL COLLINS completed its acquisition of SEOS, the supplier of highly realistic visual displays for commercial and military full-flight simulators. SEOS will operate under the Rockwell Collins name and become part of its Simulation and Training Solutions organization. SEOS has about 150 employees and is based in West Sussex, England (BA, Oct. 20/185).
M7 AEROSPACE appointed J.R. (Rick) Hundley president and chief executive, succeeding Ron Frederick, who is retiring in December. Hundley has more than 25 years of senior aerospace and defense management experience, including a background with rotary- and fixed-wing aerostructures, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul and logistics support for both commercial and military aircraft. He also has been involved in strategic sales and marketing, manufacturing, finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, procurement and public affairs.
EMBRAER ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0889; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-092-AD; Amendment 39-15738; AD 2008-23-17] – Inspect the forward and rearward doors’ emergency evacuation slide packs for the presence of tie-down straps. If tie-down straps are found, remove them, per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 170-25-0088 (dated Dec. 21, 2007) or 190-25-0062 (dated Dec. 21, 2007), as applicable.
Maguire Aviation is in the process of developing hangar and offices for single and multiple tenant occupancy. Please contact Mike McDaniel or Tim Wray for more information at 800-451-7270. Click here to view the pdf
December 2 – Wichita Aero Club luncheon featuring Richard Aboulafia, VP of Analysis for The Teal Group, Airport Hilton Hotel, Wichita, KS 316-641-5962, e-mail: aeroclubinfo@@WichitaAeroClub.org January 11-15, 2009 – American Association of Airport Executives: 23rd Annual Aviation Issues Conference, Kona, Hi. For more information contact AAAE at (703) 824-0500 or go to www.aaae.org/products/allmeetings.html
ECLIPSE AVIATION CORPORATION EA500 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-1232; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-070-AD; Amendment 39-15747; AD 2008-24-07] – Prior to further flight, incorporate into the “Limitations” section of the Airplane Flight Manual language that limits the maximum operating altitude of the aircraft to 37,000 feet pressure altitude.
ONE CHARTER COMPANY EXECUTIVE estimates overall charter business is down approximately 40 percent, with a number of operators trying to sell off part of their fleets because the capacity they have is not being used. The small-cabin end of the market appears to be softer than other segments. Charter is off about 20 percent in the New York area with many “life-style” charter customers apparently switching to airlines or not traveling.
WEST STAR AVIATION is expanding its operations in Colorado by taking over the maintenance operations at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. Jim Benninger was named Aspen airframe team leader, and West Star plans to position two full-time maintenance technicians on-site. In addition, West Star said the proximity of its Aspen-Pitken and Grand Junction bases will allow the company to draw upon the Grand Junction facility to staff the Aspen-Pitken location as work demands.
IVAN LAUTHIER was appointed vice president of training and flight operations for ATR. Lauthier has more than 20 years of experience as a test and public transportation pilot. His aviation career began in 1984 as a French Air Force pilot and in 1993 he became test pilot and chief of helicopters cabin crew at the Flight Test Center in Bretigny. He subsequently became chief test pilot at the Military Flight Test Center of Istres, and in 2004 became the first test pilot to be appointed program manager for the French Defense Agency, DGA.
SOME CHARTER OPERATORS are reporting that November bookings have been down as much as 75 percent, according to one senior industry official. While other operators say charter business is down only 5 to 10 percent over last November – which is typically a slow month anyway – this month so far is “the most significant in terms of business dropping” off, he said. The upper Midwest has been particularly hard hit, he added.
MERCURY AIR GROUP, INC. said its Maytag Aircraft Corp. unit won contracts to provide bulk fuel storage services at 19 U.S. military bases around the world. All the contracts are currently under way. The government owned/contractor operated contracts “represent a significant win for Maytag Aircraft,” said Joseph A. Czyzyk, chairman and CEO of the parent company. The 19 locations include bases in the eastern and southern U.S., the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.
CIRRUS AIRCRAFT is suspending new aircraft production during December and furloughed 500 of its 1,100 employees. The affected workers are expected to be back on the job Jan. 5. Cirrus officials said the company generally produces about a dozen aircraft during December. Cirrus will continue to pay medical and other benefits to the 500 workers being temporarily laid off.
AGUSTA S.P.A. A109A and A109A II helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0834; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-78-AD; Amendment 39-15746; AD 2008-24-06] – Perform initial and recurrent dye-penetrant inspections of each tail-rotor blade for cracks, following the instructions of Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109-110, Rev. A (dated Dec. 12, 2005). Also, before the first flight each day, visually inspect each tail-rotor blade for cracks using a 3X to 5X power magnifying glass. If any cracks are found, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy one before further flight.
